It looks like Microsoft is really starting to backtrack on their Modern UI plans, as today more screenshots and details regarding Windows 8.1 Update 1 have leaked revealing the boot to desktop feature being on by default.

This is a rather large move for the team at Redmond. The original plan for the Modern UI was for it to become the new Windows, however it seems Microsoft are backtracking on that plan as the latest builds of Windows 8.1 Update 1 include boot to desktop being on by default, which means users will see the desktop before the Modern UI without having to change any settings.

It’s currently unclear how this will work for devices with only touch screens and devices with both a touch screen and mouse/keyboard. It’s possible that Windows will adjust accordingly depending on what hardware you’re running. If you have a touch screen, it will display the Modern UI. If not, the desktop.

Other changes in this build include the renaming of SkyDrive. It was recently announced that SkyDrive would be renamed to OneDrive, and that change seems to be apparent in today’s builds. What's more, Close and Minimize buttons on Modern UI apps are also apparent, something which was rumored to be making its way to Windows 8.1 earlier this year (see screenshot above).

For those who like to keep track (like us) here’s the full build string: 9600.16606.WINBLUES14_GDR_LEAN.140126-2042. The build was compiled on the 26th January 2014 at 8:42PM.